Fruit sizing mechanism



Dec. 15, 1942. WHITE 2,305,212

FRUIT SIZING MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l mow IackerBY W a) ATTORNEY- D 1942- E. A. WHITE FRUIT SIZING MECHANISM Filed March20, 1940' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I ,z'dltarcim'be ATTORNEY Dec. .15,1942. E, A, WHIT 2,305,212

FRUIT SIZI-NG MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 9INVENTOR v1 J1 12 BY ,zoj 7 K ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1.342.

E. A. WHITE ERUI'F'SIZING MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet4- & INVENTORY ,ZabrarcZaZT/fikzk BY J/ ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1942. E, A,wHlTE 2,305,212

FRUIT SIZING MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1940 s Shets-Sheet 5 v INVENTORATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES GEFICE' FRUIT SIZINGMECHANISM Edward A. White, Clarkston, Wash.

Application March 20, 1940, Serial'No. 325,001

Claims. (01

Thisinvention relates to improvements in sizing mechanisms forv fruit.

It is a primary featureof this invention to provide a novel advancing,machine for sizing fruit, by weighing the same, and discharging fruitentities or integers of a predetermined weight, and at certain andpredetermined points along thepath of travel of the integers, so thatintegers" of one weight. can be delivered into one bin for receiving agiven size fruit, and fruit of another weight will be delivered into abin for that weight, and soon, until all the different size fruitentities have allbeensegregated into the respective bins providedtherefor.

A very special feature consists in a machine that is designed to operateon the mass of fruit by handling individualintegers singly and alone,instead of in groups, andto restrain the individual fruit integersagainst rolling movement while they are advancing through the machine sothat such integers will at all times be in repose, or in other words, atrest.

In addition to the feature of always maintaining the fruit integers inrepose, it is a further feature to maintain said" integers insubstantially fixed relation with respect to themachine during theirsuccessively changing positions necessary to passage through themachine, whereby I am able to employ a beam form of scale and insurethat each fruit entity is deposited on the scale in a fixed location, sothat the weight leverage will not vary, and hence an accurate weight canbe obtained to a fraction of an ounce, thereby insuring a very preciseaccuracy in the performance of the sizing function.

It is also a feature of the invention to provide a novel form of scalewhich is equipped to form an essential part of the path of travel of thefruit entities through the machine, and which functions accordingly withits companion parts when a fruit integer is not heavy enough to actuatethe scale, but which additionally functions to weigh and discharge aninteger heavy enough to actuate the scale, and then instantly, return toits companion function...

A further feature resides in a novel form of scale which is incorporatedin the machine in such a manner that the scale weighs nothing except thefruit integer deposited thereon.

My invention involves a novel formof advancing means for handling thefruit integers individually, and which, in the preferred form, ineludesthe weighing feature, but I. also claim this novel advancing means, assuch, irrespective of the manner in which the fruit may be weighed orotherwise sized.

For the primarypurpose of gaining capacity it is a feature of myinvention to provide a plurality of paths of travel for thefruit. to-besized,

and since it is desirable toavcid the necessity of providing acorresponding number of supply conveyers, it is a feature of myinvention to divide the row of fruit integers, advanced on the usualsupply belt, into as many rows as there are paths of travel inthemachine, which in the preferred form is two.

My improved advancing means for the fruit involves a finger carrierhaving an orbital path of travel, and in the-most improvedinstallations, two complete machines are employed, and it is a featureto connect the carriers of thetwo machines with their actuating means incounterbalanced relation, to thereby reduce vibration to a minimum,which is a matter of vital importance because of the manner ofindividually handling the fruit, and by reason of the particular meansof weighing the fruit.

My invention has many other features and objects which will be morefully: described in connection withthe accompanying drawings and whichwill be more particularly pointed out in and by the-appended claims.

In the'drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan sectional view on line l-| of Fig. 3, showing twocomplete machines and the receiving bins subjacent thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view online 2-2 of Fig. 3, showing the twocarrier beams and the manner in. which they are connected up incounterbalanced relation with their actuating means, with the receivingbins and stationary portion of the advancing means omitted.

Fig. Bis a. sectional View on 1ine.33 of Fig. 2, showing the carryingbeam in a different position fromthat shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showingthebeamin. a-low position.

Fig. 5. is a similar view showing the beam in a pick-up position whereinthe fruit. integer is being engaged.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the beam elevated and with an integercarried thereon.

Fig. '7 is a similar view. showing how the beam has advanced the integerfrom the Fig. 5 position and has deposited the integer in an advancedposition.

Fig.. 8 is a sectional View on'an enlarged scale taken on line 8-3 ofFig. 1, and looking toward theright thereof, and showing the scalemechanism in a normal unactuated position and in normal relation withits companion parts.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the scale actuated and howit discharges a weighed integer.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the scale mechanism on a reduced scale.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line ll--ll of Fig. 8, showing the knifeedge construction of the scale.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on line l2--l2 of Fig. 1, showingthe general construction of the receiving bins on a reduced scale.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken online l3-l3 of Fig. 1, and showing the row dividing means for the supplybelt.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on line l4l4 of Fig. 13, looking toward theright of the latter.

Fig. 15 is a view in end elevation of the divider.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional View of a set of shifting fingers takenon line l6-l6 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 17 is a sectional View on line I1l'l of Fig, 16.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thedifierent figures of the drawings.

In Fig. 1, I have shown two complete machines which I will generallydesignate as units A and B, and since both machines are identical instructure and function, only one need be described in detail but forconvenience in the description of the operation, I will apply generalreference designators to the parts of unit B.

These machines are disposed over a plurality of receiving bins which areshown of exaggerated width to permit of clear illustration of themachine parts. I will designate these bins at l. 2, 3 and 4, and theyare shown disposed back to back, and in end to end relation, the backwalls being indicated at 5, 6, I and 8, and the abutting end walls at 9,I0, and I2, while the outer end walls are designated at l3, l4, l5 andI6, and the front walls are designated at l1, 3, I9 and 20. The bottomwalls 2|, 22, 23 and 24 slope downwardly from the back walls to thefront walls, as shown in Fig. 11, and the bins are shown mounted on legs25 and 26, and the packers stand abreast of the outer walls, asindicated by the legends Packers. These bins are in common use and arenot specifically claimed but have been described briefly to facilitate alater description of the manner in which the machines deliver to saidbins. It may also be stated that the bottom walls of said bins slopedownwardly and outwardly to enable the packer to reach the fruit with aminimum of effort. While I have shown only two bins in lengthwisedisposition, in practice it will be understood that there may in somecases be as many as thirty bins in endwise disposition with each other.

Reference will next be made to that portion of the machine which I willterm the advancing means whereby the fruit integers are advanced towardweighing means and discharged by the latter into the respective bins.

Referring to unit A, and to Fig. 1, I will first describe the two rowsof non-advancing or stationary sets of supporting fingers, giving each ageneral reference numeral, and then I will specifically describe one ofsaid sets of fingers. Since all of said sets of fingers are identical inform and function, a specific description of one will suffice.

Said sets of supporting fingers forming one row are designated at 21,28, 29, 30, 3| and 32, and the sets of the opposite or companion row aredesignated at 33, 34, 35, 36, 31 and 38. Each set, as shown, consists ofa rod belt into U-form and having a bight portion 39, and spaced fingers40, which extend inwardly, or in other words, laterally of the length ofthe row.

The bight portions 39 of said supporters may be rigidly secured tosupporting bars 4|, 42, 43, 44 and 45, by screws 46, or like means, asshown in Fig. 6, to rigidly hold the fingers in the laterally extendingposition shown. I have indicated at 41, 48, 49, 50, and 5|, hangerswhich may be secured to the respective bars to suspend them from asuitable overhead anchorage, not shown.

The fruit supporters indicated at 53, 54, and 56, which are movable,each form a part of novel weighing scales, to be later described, andare briefly referred to at this point to show that they do notinterrupt, but on the contrary, form a continuation of the row of fruitsupporting fingers which are stationary, and the scale fingers areidentical in form and function to the stationary or non-advancingfingers previously described. Hereinafter I shall refer to the fingersets mounted on the scales, as the scale fingers.

At this point it is desirable to observe that the sets of scale fingers53 and 54 are disposed over and deliver to bin I, and also that set 53delivers at one side of the machine, and set 54 delivers to the oppositeside of the machine, as indicated by the arrows. Scale fingers 55 and 56are disposed over bin 2 to deliver thereto, and are on opposite sides ofthe machine and deliver at opposite points as also indicated by thearrows. It will now be clear that the sets of fruit supporting fingersare horizontally disposed in parallel rows and are all non-advancing, orin other Words, not movable lengthwise of the rows, although the sets offingers of the scales are movable laterally, even though they neveradvance. The term non-advancing is used generically for all of said setsof fingers, rather than the term stationary because the scale fingersare not stationary.

Reference will next be made to that part of the machine which coactswith the rows of nonadvancing sets of fingers.

A carrier, which is shown in the form of a beam 51 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) isdisposed between the two rows of supporting fingers and will, inpractice, extend the full length of said rows for coaction therewith informing the fruit advancing portion of the machine.

Said beam 57 carries a plurality of sets of laterally projecting fruittransferring or shifting fingers for coaction with said sets of fruitsupporting fingers, there being one series or row of shifting fingersfor each series or row of supporting fingers, and as all of the shiftingfingers are identical in form and function only one set need bedescribed in detail and the remaining sets will be designated by ageneral reference numeral.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and '7, it will be seen that these shiftingfingers are in the form of rods 58, 59 and 60, and each set of shiftingfingers consists of three fingers, except the first intake set indicatedat El and 62, which consists of two fingers, for a reason to be laterdescribed. Said shifting fingers have their central portions welded,riveted or otherwise anchored to beam 51', as indicated at 63, andextend in opposite directions laterally of the length of said beam, andin this particular form of the invention the shifting fingers are sodisposed and proportioned as to intermesh with said supporting fingersin the performance of certain operative functions to be later described.The first two shifting fingers GI and 62 intermesh with the first set21, the finger 6| being disposed between the supporting fingers 40 andfinger 62, disposed laterally and rearwardly of the innermost supportingfinger 40. Throughout the remainder of the machine the middle shiftingfinger, as 59, extends between two supporting fingers of sets 29 and 53,and fingers 58 and 6|] are disposed outside said sets, as will be clearfrom Fig. 1.

Before describing a very special feature of all the fingers, I willfirst generally designate each set of shifting fingers, in addition tothe two sets previously designated, and will associate each set ofshiftingfingers with the set of supporting fingers with which theycoact. The general reference numerals for each set of shifting fingerswill have their leading lines connected with the middle finger of eachset, except the first set.

Shifting fingers GI and 62 coact with supporting fingers 40 of set 21.Shifting finger set 64 coacts withsupporting set 28, shifting set 59coacts with supporting set 29, shifting set 55 coacts with scale fingers54, shifting set 55 coacts with supporting set 30, shifting set 51coacts with supporting set 3!, shifting set 68 coacts with supportingset 32 and shifting set 69 coacts with scale fingers 56, all of whichare on one side of the machine.

On the opposite side, shifting set comprising fingers I and H coactswith supporting set 33,

set 12 coacts with set 34, set 13 coacts with scale finger 53, set 14coacts with set 35, set 15 coacts with set 36, set 15 coacts with set31, set ll coacts with scale finger 55, and set 18 coacts with set 38.

By reason of the fact that accurate weight is necessary in orderaccurately to differentiate be tween different size fruit integers, andbecause the fruit integers are engaged and supported by both sets offingers at spaced peripheral areas of the fruit integer, it is a mostimportant feature of this invention to retain the integers againstrolling movement, which is effective transversely of the fingers becauseof their lateral engagement with the integer, but which, in thepreferred form, is also efiective longitudinally of the fingers.

Therefore, I have provided all the fingers with fruit retaining meansand this feature is specifically embodied by imparting a downward bendwhich is clearly shown in Fig. 9. .Thus the two fingers 29 of set 29 arebent downwardly at 38' in such a manner as to pocket the integer againstrolling movement longitudinally of said fingers and retain the integerin a fixed location with respect to the fingers, both fingers being bentto the same extent.

The middle shifting finger 59 is also bent downwardly as indicated at59' to form a similar fruit retaining or pocketing means. However, theouter fingers 5B and 69, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 16 and1'7, are not dipped or bent to such an extent as the middle finger, andit will be clear that the pocketing portions and 55' are slightly higherthan the pocketing portion 59 of the middle finger.

Therefore it will now be clear that the fruit integers on both thesupporting sets of fingers, and the shifting sets of fingers, will beretained against movement out of fixed locations, irrespective ofwhatever slight vibration the machine may have, andin spite of the factthat many. of the integers must pass some considerable distance throughthe advancing means.

As machine unit B is in all respects identical with unit A, it willmerely be-necessary to very generally designate'the parts of unit B.

The supporting fingers of one row are designated at C to J, and thesupporting fingers of the remaining row are designated at K to R, andthey are supported in the identical manner as are the identical fingersillustrated in unit A. The beam of unit B is designated at'S, and itwill be merely necessary to designate the sets of rods forming theshifting fingers of both rows on this unit B by single reference lettersT to Z, whereby the complete finger equipment will have been designated.The sets E and N are scale fingers that discharge into bin 3, and sets Iand R, are scale fingers'that discharge into bin 4, and these scale setsare disposed in a manner identical with those of machine unit A,previously described.

In order that the fruit integers may be advanced in the advancing means,it is necessary that the beam 5'! be actuated, and it is a feature ofthe invention to actuate said beam in a manner to pick up, and thenshift, and finally deposit an integer in step by step advancedpositions, and I will describe the means for actuating said beam.

However, at. this point, it is desired to bring out the fact that myinvention would be completely operative and effective if the advancingmeans consisted of one row of supporting fingers, and one row ofshifting fingers, and that duplication into two rows of each for eachmachine is primarily for the purpose of increasing capacity. However, inaddition to increasing the capacity, there is a very importantfeature incoupling up two machines which will be presently described.

Next referring to Figs. 2 and 3, I have shown driving shafts 19 and 80,which rotate about axes transverse, or at right angles to thelongitudinal axes of beams 51 and S. Shaft 19 is shownjournalled inbearings BI and 82, which may be suspended from an overhead anchorage inany desired manner by hangers 83 and 84. Shaft is journalled in bearings85 and 86, which are-likewise rigidly supported by hangers 81 and 88.Shafts l9 and Bi! have cranks 89 and 90 which are pivotally connected tohangers 9i and 92, the lower ends of which are rigidly connected to theends of beam 51. Shafts l9 and 8%! have cranks 93 and 94, which arepivotally connected with the upper ends of hangers 95 and 96,. havingtheir lower ends rigidly connected. with the ends of beam S, in a manneridentical with hangers 9i and 92. Any suitable drive may be applied todrive shafts l9 and 89, in a clockwise direction, viewing Figs. 3 and 4,andat the same rate of speed, and I have shown a drive chain 91, trainedover a sprocket 98, mounted on shaft 79. A drive chain 99 is trainedabout a sprocket I58, on shaft 19, and about sprocket I1] I on shaft 80.

Now it will be observed that the cranks 89 and 95 are disposed incounter-balanced relation to cranks 53 and 94, or more specifically, thepairs of cranks are one hundred eighty degrees apart, whereby themomentum of beams 51 and S will be absorbed so that vibration will bereduced to a minimum. This is of very great importance in this apparatuswherein the fruit integers are carried by being loosely supported on theshifting ing movement on said fingers.

and supporting fingers, and wherein it is desirable to retain the fruitintegers against roll- It is further important because any appreciableor material degree of vibration might greatly impair the accuracy of thenovel weighing scales.

Reference will next be made to one of the weighing scales as moreparticularly shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 11.

On a suitable standard I02 are mounted arms I03 having V-shaped recessesI04, adapted to receive knife edges of a scale beam, said standard beingmounted on a support I02, fixed to wall 9 of bin I. As shown, said beamincludes a rectangular frame having side, front and rear members I05,I06 and I01, respectively, as shown in Fig. 10. A threaded rod I08extends through said rear member I 01 and is held by nuts I09 and I I0,and a counterweight III is adjustably mounted on said rod in anysuitable manner, as by nut II2. Strips II3 are secured at II4 to sidemembers I05, and are provided with knife edges I I5 which seat in saidrecesses I04, and

on which the scale beam is tiltable from the normal position shown inFig. 8 to the weighing and dumping position shown in Fig. 9. It will beparticularly noted that in addition to the standard being recessed atI04, the strips II3 are also recessed and extend downwardly on oppositesides of arms I03, below the actual knife edge engagement, as shown inFig.

11. The beam includes a finger member having a normally horizontal limbII6 secured rigidly to the front frame member I06 at H1, and an upwardlyextending member II8, having a base II9, to which the bight I of scalefingers 53 are rigidly mounted, said fingers being bent downwardly atI2I so that attachment can be made.

Means is provided for limiting tilting movement of the scale beam ineither of two directions, and I have shown such means embodied in a barI22, fixed to said standard I03 at I23. Said bar I22 has an upwardlyextending stop I24 adapted to be engaged by beam member H6,

and a transverse stop bar I25 (Fig. 9) adapted to be engaged by the saidframe members I 05, to limit movement of the beam to the normal positionshown in Fig. 8.

At this point it is desired to emphasize the fact that the structureconstituting the scale beam, just described, is wholly rigid and tiltsas an entity in the total absence of any extraneous weighable or movableparts. And further, it is important to note that the scale weighsnothing but the fruit integer.

Reference will next be made to the means for supplying or feeding fruitto the machines thus far described, with reference to Figs. 1, 12, 13and 14.

As the said supply means for both units A and B are identical instructure and function, only one need be described in detail, and I willrefer specifically to the supply means delivering to unit A.

A supply belt I26 is shown trained about a roller I21 mounted on asuitably journalled shaft I20, which will be driven in a clockwisedirection, viewing Fig. 13, in any desired manner. The upper lap of saidbelt I26 travels on a support I29 between suitable guides I30, for thefruit. In its relation to this particular machine this belt I26functions to advance previously sorted and graded fruit from the sortingtables, not shown, but in a broader phase of the invention it may bestrictly a supply belt, as will be later described.

Reference will next be made to the novel means for dividing the row offruit integers advanced by said belt I26.

Delivery belts I3I are disposed on opposite sides of said supply beltand in substantially parallel relation therewith, and at a substantiallylower elevation therefrom. The upper laps of said delivery belts run ona platform I 32 mounted on supports I33. Said delivery belts are trainedover rollers I34 and I35, mounted on suitably journalled shafts I36 andI31, and the upper laps of said belts run between inner and outer fruitguides I38 and I39. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 1 that thesedelivery belts I3I are alined with the rows of supporting fingers of theadvancing means for delivery thereto, and it will be clear from Fig. 14that the first or nearest set of supporting fingers 33 are at a suitableelevation below the delivery end of the belt so that the integer willreadily discharge onto said fingers, as indicated by dotted lines, itbeing understood that the rollers I34 and I35 are driven in a clockwisedirection, viewing Fig. 14.

A row divider is disposed endwise beyond the supply belt I20, and belowand in receiving relation to the same, and midway between said deliverybelts I3I, and in delivery relation thereto. Said divider is shown inend elevation in Fig. 15, and has a linear apex I40, side impact andactuating portions MI, and delivery edge portions I42, forming in crosssection an acute angular body. This divider is disposed between the endwall I43, of the supply belt I25, and a terminal wall I 44. The divideris mounted in a manner to cause the same always to gravitateautomatically toward either of two extreme positions, as shown in fulland dotted lines in Fig. 13. Said divider is provided with supportinglinks, one at each end thereof, as indicated at I45 and I46. At theirupper ends said links are rigidly secured to the ends of said divider atI41 and I48. The lower end of link I45 is pivoted to terminal wall I44at I49, and the lower end of link I40 is pivoted at I50 to end wall I43.Thus, the pivotal axis of said divider is relatively low and the centerof gravity thereof is relatively high, hence the divider will alwaystend to overbalance in either of two directions.

In fact, said divider could only be in an equilibrium of balance whenits apex I40 intersected a vertical line which also intersected the axesof pivots I49 and I50, which would be, at least, an accidental and notan operative position of the divider, and not a position which thedivider could sustain. A stop I5I mounted on end wall I43 serves tolimit rocking movement of the divider toward a delivery position to theleft hand belt I3I, as indicated by full lines, of Fig. 13, and asimilar stop I52, mounted on wall I43, serves to limit rocking movementof said divider toward a delivery position to the right hand belt I3I ofFig. 13, as indicated by dotted lines.

At times an extra small size and light weight apple might fall toolightly or too rapidly to make its impact effective enough to shift thedivider, and hence I have provided retarding means to prevent suchineffective operation.

As shown, I mount rods I53 in guides I30 so that they extend laterallyalong side of the divider. On these rods I mount flexible retardingleafs I54, which are interposed in the path of a fruit integerdescending against an impactside I4I of the divider, to retard descentof the integer and thereby insure-enough weight contact against animpact side l ll to tilt the divider.

The capacity and speed of supply belt I26 is sufficient to supply bothrows of fruit supporters of one machine and it is the purpose of thedivider to divide the row of fruit integers advanced by the supply beltinto two rows, one for each delivery belt l3l.

While I have shown this dividing means in connection with thisparticular machine, it will be understood that this dividing means iscapabie of functioning to advantage in any capacity in which it isdesirable to divide a single advancing row of fruit integers into tworows.

While the operation of this machine maybe clear from the foregoingdescription, it will be briefly recapitulated as follows:

First referring to the dividing means, it will be assumed that a fruitinteger such as an apple has been discharged by the supply belt I26 ontothe divider when the latter is in the full line position shown in Fig.13, then in that event the apple will engage the right hand impact sideMl. This engagement will be at a point laterally of a line intersectingthe tilting axis, namely, pivots MiG-I50 and the apex I40, andconsequently the weight of the apple, in addition to its impact, willshift or tilt the divider from the full line to the dotted line positionof Fig. 13,

and this will deflect the rolling apple onto the right hand deliverybelt I3l. This tilting movement will of course be arrested by the righthand stop I52. However, while the weight of the apple serves to shiftthe divider, the latter, while it is being shifted, serves to guide theapple onto the right hand belt Hi, and the inner guiding strip I38 formsa continuation of the impact side HM to guide the apple or fruit integeronto the belt.

It will now be clear that after the divider has been shifted over intothe dotted line position b shown in Fig. 13, it is then in a position tobe actuated by, and shift the next fruit integer onto the left handdelivery belt l3l. Thus each successive fruit integer tilts or reversesthe position of the divider so that adjacent integers advanced by thesupply belt are shifted to opposite delivery belts. supply belt arealternately diverted to said de livery belts so that the latter willafford a uniform supply to the rows of fruit supporting fingers. l3ldischarge onto the first set of non-advancing fruit supporting fingersof the respective rows, and of course the dividing means and advancingmeans will be operated in substantially timed relation so that the fruitwill neither pile up or fail to chargethe rows of fruit supportingfingers.

Reference will next be made to the fruit advancing means and the mannerin which it operates, with special reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

In these views I have shown on the supporting bar 4| the first two sets21 and 28, of supporting fingers and on the beam 51 I have shown thefirst two shifting fingers BI and 62. In Fig. 4 the crank 89 is in thedown or lower position and an apple is shown supported in the twofingers 40 of the first set 21, which is the position it would occupywhen discharged from one of the delivery belts- I3 I.

In Fig. 5 the crank 89 has made a quarter turn in a clockwise direction,as indicated by the arrow, and shifting finger 6! has assumed a positionbetween fingers 40 and shifting finger 62 has assumed a position to theright of the re- It has been stated that the delivery belts In otherwords, the integers from the i maining fingers 40. This is the pick upstep in which the shifting fingers 6i and 62 have moved upwardly underthe apple and into a position to' pick it up, or in other words, lift itoff from fingers 4B of the first set 21. Thus, it will be seen thatwhile the apple may slightly shift its position as it is transferredfrom the fingers it] to the shifting fingers BI and 62, it does not andcannot have any rolling movement.

In Fig. 6 the crank 89 has made another quarter turn wherein the applehas been lifted above the first set of fingers 21, and has also beenshifted to the right of the position it occupied in Fig. 5. Further, thefirst set 21 is now vacant and can receive another apple from itsdelivery belt IE. 1

In Fig. 7 I have shown the crank 89 at another quarter turn wherein itwill be seen that the shifting fingers BI and 62 have taken the samerelative position with respect to set 28 that they did with respect tothe first set 21, with shifting finger 6| between the fingers of set 28,and shifting finger 62 to the right of the remaining finger of set 28.Thus, the apple has been shifted into an advanced position of one stepin the advancing means. Of course thestep is consummated by continuousrotation of crank 89, together with its companion crank 90, which servesto maintain the beam 51 always in a horizontal position. Further, itwill now be clear that the apple is always in repose, or in a positionof rest during suchadvancing transfer step, and that it cannot have anyrolling movement transversely of the length of the supporting sets offingers, or the shifting sets of fingers since in both sets the apple issupportingly engaged at oppositely spaced peripheral areas thereof. Ofcourse, the apple cannot have any rolling movement lengthwise of eitherthe supporting or shifting fingers because of the retaining means whichboth are equipped with, and which is, specifically, the downwardly bentportions of said fingers. It is further emphasized that in thisadvancing movement the apple is always gently handled, not only when itis lifted off from one set of supporting fingers, but also when it isdeposited onto the next set thereof, hence there is no possibility ofthe apple being bruised. Further, the apples are always individuallyhandled, and because the pocketing or bent portions of the supportingand shifting fingers are in alined relation, as clearly shown in Fig. 8,the apples will always be held in fixed locations, or in other words, infixed relation to the supporting and shifting fingers throughout thetravel of the apples through the advancing means, so that itmayaccurately be stated that in such advancing movement, the apples travelin a straight, ad-

vancing path.

The advancing steps will be the same as just described throughout theremaining length of the machine, and the fact that all of the remainingsets of shifting fingers each consisto'f three, instead of two fingers,will not alter or change the action just described. The only reason whythe first shifting set has only two fingers is that the first set ofsupporting fingers must be disposed in close relation to the deliverybelts [3| in order to get effective delivery, and if the first shiftingset had three fingers this would require that one shifting finger wouldhave to move into the space between the end of the delivery belt I 31'and the first finger of the nearest supporting set.

It will be understood that the rows of applesadvanced by this machinewill be constantly depleted by the discharge effected by the weighingscales. The scales ofwhich finger sets 53 and 54 form a part may be setto discharge apples of largest size into bin I, and the scales of whichfinger sets 55 and 55 form a part may be set to discharge apples of thenext smaller size into bin 2', and so forth, through as many bins as arebeing served. If, for instance, an apple of lighter weight is depositedon either set 53 or 54 than should be delivered to bin I, then thescales will not be tilted and these sets of fingers will function merelyas supporting fingers just the same as the stationary sets of fingers,and such apples will be advanced until they reach scale fingers wherethe scales are set to dump apples of that weight. Hence, it will be seenthat apples of predetermined size will be discharged at predeterminedpoints along the line of travel.

By reference to Figs. 8 and 9, it .will be clear that when an apple isof sufficient weight to tilt the scale beam, the latter will tilt anddischarge the apple in the manner shown in Fig. 9, laterally off fromone side of the machine, which in this instance would be toward the rearwall of bin l. The shifting fingers will at this'time be on theirdescending path of travel so as not to lift or interfere with the applebeing discharged, as the speed of travel ofthe cranks 89 and 90 will besuch that the shifting fingers will descend more rapidly than the scalefingers 53, in the tilting movement of the latter. In any event, theouter portions of scale fingers 53 will serve, in practice, to decline,as shown in Fig. 9, and cause the apple to roll clear from the end ofthe middle shifting finger, as it will be clear that the scale fingers53 begin moving longitudinally or' endwise away from the shiftingfingers just as soon as the scale begins to tilt, and further, with justthe right inclination of the fingers, the apple will begin to rolltoward a discharging position just as soon as the scale has tilted toany appreciable extent. This rolling movement of the" apple willtherefore free the same from interference by the middle shifting finger,inany event.

If for any reason an apple lacked enough weight to tilt the scale, oronly slightly, and not enough to cause discharge of the apple, thelatter would be picked up on the next revolving step of the shiftingfingers in the usual manner, and.

hence there is no possibility of the machine being clogged, or anychance that a shifting finger,

set might seek to deposit an apple onto a supporting finger set that wasalready occupied.

I now wish to point out the very great advantage of maintaining thefruit integers in fixed, locations relative to the fingers, throughouttheir.

travel by the advancing means. Suppose an apple of lighter than maximumWeight, which should be discharged into bin 2, were deposited onto.

tion shown in Fig. 8, and might actuate the scalev and discharge suchunder-size apple into bin I instead of properly into bin 2. On thecontrary, if an apple of maximum weight for bin l were deposited on thelaterally inner ends of scale fingers 53 it might not actuate the scale.Thus,

deposition of apples in the wrong bins would at tain an inaccuracy farbeyond the size. tolerance permissible, and this size tolerance is nowso exacting that a fraction of an ounce variance is objectionable.

Because of the fact that in this kind of machine a beam scale is theonly form that is prac tical, the importance of retaining the fruitintegers in substantially fixed locations with respect to the fingerswill now be clear.

While the number of discharging scales shown for each bin is notessential to this invention, nor is it essential that the scalesdischarge on opposite sides of the machine, still I wish to point out avery great advantage that flows from the latter feature.

Even though th bottoms of the packing bins are inclined toward thepacker, as shown in Fig. 12, it has been found in practice that if thefruit integers were all discharged from the machineat substantially onepoint, or on one side of the machine, they tend to, and actually do veryoften pile up instead of rollin down along the inclined bottom. Thus, ifthey pile up near the back of the bin, the packer must reach for thefruit and this slows up the packers work.

While I have shown the finger shifting beams 51 and S actuated to movein a fixed orbit, which is specifically a revolving movement about theaxes of shafts i9 and 80, still, the essential movement is broadlydivided into three steps, namely, a pick-up, an advancing and adepositing movement, or such a movement that involves these steps.

Because of the previous description relative to individual handling ofthe fruit, and the impcrtance of retaining the same in relatively fixedlocations on the fingers, together with the requirements of accurateweighing, the great advantage of connecting th beams 5! and S of the twomachines in counter-balanced relation to minimize vibration, will notonly be clear, but it will be understood Why this counter-balancingfeature is so intimately related to this particular machine.

It Will be clear that the supporting and weighing fingers or elements,as well as the shifting fingers or elements, are all individual, andthat they perform their various functions individually on individualfruit or other types of integers. Thus, the shifting elementsindividually pick up, advance and deposit the integers from and toadvanced elements. As a direct result of this novel structure, it ispossible to equip each beam 1 51 with oppositely extending rows ofshifting fingers or elements, each of which can coact with a row ofsupporting and weighing sets, thereby doubling the capacity of themachine without correspondingly increasing the weight thereof,especially th weight of the moving parts.

It will be clear that all the supporting fingers are not weighingfingers, and these additional supporting fingers greatly aid inaffording the machine such a large capacity in sizing fruit. Hence, manyintegers will be shifted into advanced positions toward the scales butwill not be released until they reach the scales that are set to releasethem. Therefore, there will-be a succession of shifting steps which willbe made solely for the extra capacity which this feature affords.

It will also be clear that the shifting fingers always follow onegeneral character of movement or travel, irrespective of whether it isthe orbital path specifically shown. In other words, this travel of theshifting fingers is always continuous instead of being intermittent, andis nev- .er interrupted by any kind of movement different from that of acontinuous cycle of onegeneral character, which explains the relativelyhigher speed of operation possible.

While I have shown one specific form of the invention, I do not wish tobe limited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

I claim: a -1. In a mechanism forsizing fruit by weight, a row oflaterally projecting sets of fruit supporting fingers and the fingers ofeach set being spaced to support a fruit integer thereon in repose andcertain of said sets of supporting fingers comprising a part ofreleasing Weighing scales for discharging integers of a given weight, afruit advancing beam having a row of laterally projecting sets of fruitshifting fingers in intermeshing relation with said supporting fingersand each set of shifting fingers being adapted to support a fruitinteger in repose thereon, and means for shifting said beam in up anddown and endwise directions for consecutively advancing fruit integersin one general direction from one set of supporting fingers to the nextset with the fruit integers in repose on and in substantially the sameposition relative to said shifting fingers throughout their advancingmovement.

2. In a mechanism for sizing fruit by weight, a row of laterallyprojecting sets of fruit supporting fingers and the fingers of each setbeing spaced to support a fruit integer thereon in repose and certain ofsaid sets comprising a part of releasing weighing scales for dischargingintegers of a given weight, a fruit advancing beam having a row oflaterally projecting sets of fruit shifting fingers adapted to mesh withsaid supporting fingers and each set of shifting fingers being spaced tosupporta fruit integer in repose thereon, and means for actuating saidbeam in a plurality of directions for bringing said shifting fingersinto and out of mesh relation with said supporting fingers to pick upand deposit fruit integers in one general direction of advance from oneset of supporting fingers to the next set with the fruit integers'inrepose on and in substantially the same position relative to saidshifting fingers and each set of shifting fingers being spaced tosupport a fruit integer in repose thereon, means for actuating said beamthrough an orbit for bringing said shifting fingers into and out of meshrelation with said supporting fingers to pick up and deposit fruitintegers in one general direction of advance from one set of supportingfingers to the next set, receiving bins below said fingers each toreceive one weight fruit, and certain of said supporting fingerscomprising a part of releasing scales to Weight and release fruit ofpredetermined weight in predetermined bins.

5. In a mechanism for dividing a row of sorted fruit and sizing thelatter by weight, a ccnveyer for conveying a row of previously sortedand graded fruit integers, a row dividing means for dividing saidrowinto two rows, a pair of delivery belts for advancing the dividedintegers, a row of noneadvancing fruit supporting fingers in receivingrelation to each of said delivery belts and certain of said fingers ofeach row comprising a part of releasing scales for weighing .andreleasing fruit integers of given weights and the fingers of said rowsextending inwardly toward each other, a carrier beam disposed betweensaid rows of supporting fingers and having a series of fruit shiftingfingers projecting laterally from each side of said beam and one seriesbeing adapted for mesh coaction with one row of supporting fingers andthe remaining series being adapted for mesh coaction with the remainingof supporting fingers, bins for. receiving predetermined sized fruitreleased by said scales, and means for actuating said beam to cause saidshifting fingers to pick up and deposit fruit integers from and ontosucfingers throughout their advancing movement.

3. In a mechanism for advancing and sizing fruit by weight, a row-0ilaterally projecting sets of fruit supporting fingers and the fingers ofeach set being spaced to support a fruit integer thereon in repose andcertain of said sets comprising a part of weighing scales fordischarging integers of a given weight, a fruit advancing beam having -arow of laterally projecting sets of fruit shiftin fingers adapted tomesh with said supporting fingers and each set of shifting fingers beingspaced to support a fruit integer in repose thereon, and means forrotating said beam about axes transverse to its length for bringing saidshifting fingers into and out of mesh relation with said supportingfingers to pick up and deposit fruit integers in one general directionof advance from one set of supporting fingers to the next set with thefruit integers in repose on and in substantially the same individualpositions throughout their advancing movement relative to said shiftingfingers.

4. In a mechanism for advancing andsizing fruit by weight, a row oflaterally projecting sets of fruit supporting fingers and the fingers ofeach set being spaced to support a fruit integer in repose thereon, afruit advancing beam having a row of laterally projecting sets of fruitshifting fingers adapted to mesh with said supporting cessive supportingfingers to advance the fruit in one general direction.

6. In a mechanism for advancing and sizing a plurality of rows of fruitby weight, identical and parallel rows of non-advancing fruit supportingfingers and certain of the fingers of each row comprising a part ofreleasing scales for weighing and releasing fruit integers of givenweights at laterally opposite points as the fruit is being advanced andthe fingers'of said parallel rows extending inwardly toward each other,a carrier beam between said rows of supporting fingers and having aseries of fruit shifting fingers projecting laterally from each side ofsaid beam and one series being adapted for mesh coaction with one row ofsupporting fingers and the remaining series being adapted for meshcoaction with the remaining row of supporting fingers, bins forreceiving predetermined weights of fruit from said scales, and means foractuating said beam to cause said shifting fingers to pick up anddeposit fruit integers from and onto successive supporting fingers toadvance the fruit in one general direction.

7. In a mechanism for advancing fruit, a row of laterally projectingsets of supporting fingers and the fingers of each set being spaced tosupport a fruit integer in repose thereon, a fruit ad- 8. In a mechanismfor advancing and sizing ifruit by weight, a row of laterally projectingsets of fruit supporting fingers and the fingers of each set beingspaced apart to support a fruit integer, beam scales distributed alongand below said fingers with the beams thereof parallel with said fingersand each scale having a set of supporting fingers identical with andforming a part of said row and said scales being adapted to tilt andrelease an integer of a certain weight by gravity, said supportingfingers being bent downwardly between their ends to retain or pocketfruit integers against rolling lengthwise of said fingers from theposition in which the integers were deposited thereon thereby making theWeight leverage on said beam scales uniform, a fruit advancing carrierhaving a row of laterally projecting sets of fruit shifting fingersadapted to mesh with said supporting fingers and the fingers of each setof shifting fingers being spaced apart to support a fruit integer inrepose thereon, and said shifting fingers being bent downwardly betweentheir ends in registry with the downwardly bent portions of saidsupporting fingers to retain or pocket the fruit integers againstrolling endwise of said shifting fingers and to deposit the integers onsaid supporting fingers in alinement with the position of the fruit whenoccupying said shifting fingers, and means for actuating said carrierfor bringing said shifting fingers into and out of mesh relation withsaid supporting fingers to pick up and deposit fruit integers in onegeneral direction of advance from one set of supporting fingers to thenext set with the fruit integers always in repose on said fingerscarrying the same.

9. In a mechanism for advancing and sizing fruit by weight, a row ofpairs of laterally projecting fruit supporting fingers and the fingersof each pair being spaced apart to support a fruit integer, beam scalesdistributed along and below said row of fingers with the beams thereofparallel with said fingers and each scale having a pair of supportingfingers identical with and forming a part of said row and the scalesbeing adapted to tilt and release an integer of a certain weight bygravity, said supporting fingers being bent downwardly between theirends to retain or pocket fruit integers against rolling lengthwise ofsaid fingers froin the initial deposited position thereon thereby makingthe weight leverage on said beam scales uniform, a fruit advancing carrier having a row of laterally projecting sets of fruit shifting ortransfer fingers and the majority of said sets consisting each of threefingers, said shifting fingers being bent downwardly between their endsand the middle finger of each set having the greatest extent of bend andthe downward bends of said shifting fingers being in alinement withsimilar bends of said supporting fingers to retain or pocket fruitintegers on said shifting fingers against rolling movement endwise orlaterally thereof, and means for actuating said carrier for bringingsaid shifting fingers into and out of mesh relation with said supportingfingers to pick up and transfer fruit integers in one general directionof advance from one pair of supporting fingers to the next pair with thefruit integers always in repose on saidfingers carrying the same.

10. In a mechanism for advancing and sizing fruit integers by weight, aseries of sets of fruit supporting fingers and the fingers of each setbeing spaced apart to support a fruit integer and certain of saidfingers being weighing fingers for releasing fruit of a given weight andthe remainder being supporting fingers, said supporting fingers beingbent downwardly between their ends to retain an integer thereon againstrolling movement endwise of said fingers, a series of sets of fruitadvancing fingers adapted to mesh with said supporting fingers and thefingers of each set of shifting fingers being spaced apart to support afruit integer thereon in repose, and said sets of shifting fingers beingbent downwardly between their ends in registry with the downwardly bentportions of said supporting fingers to retainthe fruit integers againstrolling movement endwise of said shifting fingers and to deposit theintegers onto said supporting fingers in alinement with the position ofthe fruit when occupying said shifting fingers, and means for actuatingsaid shiftingfingers into and out of mesh relation with said supportingfingers to pick up and deposit fruit integers along said supportingfingers with the integers always in repose on said fingers carrying thesame.

EDWARD A. WHITE.

